title: Effects of full-length kisspeptin administration on follicular development in Japanese Black beef cows.
abstract: Kisspeptin is a key molecule that stimulates gonadotropin secretion via release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). In the present study, our aim was to investigate whether kisspeptin has stimulatory effects on follicular development via GnRH/gonadotropin secretion in cows. Japanese Black beef cows were intravenously injected with full-length bovine kisspeptin [Kp-53 (0.2 or 2 nmol/kg)] or vehicle 5 days after they exhibited standing estrus (Day 0). In cows injected with Kp-53 at 2 nmol/kg, the follicular sizes of the first dominant follicles increased on Day 6 and thereafter. Ovulation of the first dominant follicle occurred in 1 out of 4 cows treated with Kp-53 at 2 nmol/kg. Injection of Kp-53 at 2 nmol/kg increased the concentration of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) but not follicle-stimulating hormone, over a 4-h period following injection in all cows. The present study suggests that administration of full-length kisspeptin causes LH secretion, which is sustained for a few hours, and it is capable of stimulating follicular development and/or ovulation.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
authors.forename: Yousuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Naniwa
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakatsukasa
authors.forename: Shohei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Setsuda
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oishi
authors.forename: Nobutaka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Fuko
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Uenoyama
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsukamura
authors.forename: Kei-ichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohkura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017849:Animals, Inbred Strains; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D007564:Japan; D007700:Kinetics; D059648:Kisspeptins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000662:veterinary*; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014463:Ultrasonography; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D059648:Kisspeptins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone